A communication team member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Upper East Region, Isaac Ayemvoa, has questioned the implementation of the government’s Nkoko Nkitinkiti initiative in the region, raising concerns that poultry farmers are yet to fully benefit from the programme.
According to him, although the Upper East Regional Directorate of Agriculture has distributed chicks to some farmers, the exercise was reportedly carried out outside the government’s flagship poultry initiative.
Speaking in an interview on A1 Radio, Mr Ayemvoa questioned why the distribution was not undertaken under the Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme and whether poor coordination among agricultural authorities could be affecting its implementation.
“The agric ministry in the Upper East Region, if you like, the directorate, has distributed chicks to farmers but not under the umbrella of the Nkoko Nkitinkiti. What is it? Is it lack of coordination or what is it?” he questioned.
The Nkoko Nkitinkiti initiative, introduced under the government’s Feed Ghana Programme, seeks to increase domestic poultry production, create employment opportunities and reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported chicken.
The programme is designed to support households and farmers with chicks, feed and technical assistance to encourage poultry production and improve livelihoods.
However, Mr Ayemvoa expressed concern about the apparent disconnect between the activities of the Regional Directorate of Agriculture and the implementation of the initiative in the Upper East Region.
He maintained that smallholder farmers in the region were willing to venture into poultry production and should be given opportunities to benefit from the government’s intervention.
The NDC communicator consequently called for greater clarity on the status of the programme and the circumstances surrounding the distribution of chicks to farmers.
He appealed to the media to engage the Upper East Regional Directorate of Agriculture to establish why the reported distribution exercise was not conducted under the Nkoko Nkitinkiti initiative.
Mr Ayemvoa believes such engagement would help clarify the programme’s implementation arrangements and establish whether poultry farmers in the region are receiving the support intended under the initiative.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Bolgatanga
